Asscher gut check. Any advice much appreciated.

[JulietRomeoTango]

Finally got a chance to go cross-country and visit GOG in person and I can not say enough about how helpful and patient Sarah and the rest of the staff at GOG were today.

I have narrowed the choice down to 2-3 Asschers and am taking the night to clear my head and make the choice.

Here is the dilemma: the stone that speaks to me and which I think is probably technically better (deeper crown, smaller table, slightly better cut (e.g., Excellent symmetry vs. very good) is likely *NOT* the one that I think my future wife will like more. Because of the slightly different styles within the Asscher cut the stone I like is brighter and displays slightly more scintillation and fire. The stone that I think my fiance will like more has a crisper geometric/higher contrast pattern - it looks more like an asscher step-cut from 24 inches away. I think Storm would probably classify this as a choice between a "bright-drop" and a "narrow-step" and I know it comes down to personal preference . . . but I still have a dilemma (see below).

I have done a lot of research with help from people here on pricescope and am confident that both stones are fantastic (in fact, the staff at GOG were split along personal preference lines as to which one they would choose for themselves). I really thought seeing the stone would make up my mind but considering which one I like (vs. which one she will like) has thrown a wrinkle in that. . .

So, the question is: Do you go with your gut (preference) or do you go with the stone you think your fiance will like more (despite her lack of education via pricescope)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[strmrdr]

have Jon do a vid of the top 2 and let her pick?
if that is not an option go with the one she will love.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Thanks for all your advice Karl. I am still hoping to surprise her, so the video is probably out. I am leaning towards going with the one I think she will like more though it is has less of a crown depth (15 vs 19) and a greater table (63 vs 60) and has a bit of darkness under the table. Which reminds me of a more general question: do narrow steps just look a bit darker (compared to bright drops) because that is needed to achieve the high contrast?

Again, thanks for the help and sorry to appear to be having such a tough time: it is just that after all the helpful education here it is difficult going with a stone that is technically (and personally) less appealing but one that will probably be more in line with her tastes. If it all works, she''ll be staring at her finger more than I do, so it is probably best to keep her preferences paramount.

 

[swingirl]

Date: 8/26/2009 12:19:51 AM
Author: JulietRomeoTango
Thanks for all your advice Karl. I am still hoping to surprise her, so the video is probably out.

Why is a video out? The video doesn''t have to get posted anywhere except to you.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Hi Swingirl,

Thanks for your reply. The video is not out as a tool to help me (though having seen the stones in person, I think this might just continue to drive me around in circles).

I think Karl was suggesting I show her the video - an option which is "out" since I still hope to surprise her with the actual ring.

 

[Asschergirlnyc]

Date: 8/25/2009 11:14:20 PM
Author:JulietRomeoTango
Finally got a chance to go cross-country and visit GOG in person and I can not say enough about how helpful and patient Sarah and the rest of the staff at GOG were today.


I have narrowed the choice down to 2-3 Asschers and am taking the night to clear my head and make the choice.


Here is the dilemma: the stone that speaks to me and which I think is probably technically better (deeper crown, smaller table, slightly better cut (e.g., Excellent symmetry vs. very good) is likely *NOT* the one that I think my future wife will like more. Because of the slightly different styles within the Asscher cut the stone I like is brighter and displays slightly more scintillation and fire. The stone that I think my fiance will like more has a crisper geometric/higher contrast pattern - it looks more like an asscher step-cut from 24 inches away. I think Storm would probably classify this as a choice between a ''bright-drop'' and a ''narrow-step'' and I know it comes down to personal preference . . . but I still have a dilemma (see below).


I have done a lot of research with help from people here on pricescope and am confident that both stones are fantastic (in fact, the staff at GOG were split along personal preference lines as to which one they would choose for themselves). I really thought seeing the stone would make up my mind but considering which one I like (vs. which one she will like) has thrown a wrinkle in that. . .


So, the question is: Do you go with your gut (preference) or do you go with the stone you think your fiance will like more (despite her lack of education via pricescope)?


Thanks in advance!

Are you 100% sure you know which she would like. I would definitely find out, as I am unhappy with Asschr and would have loved if my fiance approached me with the options. I wanted him to be romantic and do everything himself and surprise me, but at the end of the day I would rather love the stone than be completely surprised.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

asschergirlnyc,

I am sorry you are not happy with your ring (it looks very nice to me from the photo you posted); I would be very disappointed if MFW did not like the ring. And, though I am not 100% sure that she prefers the geometric high contrast style of Asschers to the ones with slightly smaller tables and higher crowns (effectively producing more fire and scintillation) I have seen her comment on various asschers when we have been out and about and she has always been drawn towards the geometric ones. I think I am lucky that we have never seen Royal Asschers or genuine antique Asschers in person to tempt us - since they are way out of our means!

I am tempted as you suggest to just discuss things with her beforehand, but I want to preserve some element of surprise to the whole process. The vendor I am using has an excellent return policy and lifetime guarantee so I am thinking about just presenting her with a diamond instead of a ring. Does that seem like a good compromise between surprise (romance) and practicality?

 

[tyty333]

You could post pictures and let us decide for you

!

As unromantic as it sounds I would rather be proposed with just the stone and be able to decide
if that is the right one for me (but I'm more practical than romantic). How long would it take to
get the stone mounted into the setting? Are we talking a short amount of time or a longer period?
(cause that part of it would be somewhat frustrating so the shorter the better.)

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

OK . . . I could always use more advice. I''ll post pictures below. Here is Diamond 1.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Diamond 2 image

 

[decodelighted]

Are you sure those are different stones?

The different size pictures make them look like twins ...

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Thanks Decodelighted. Now you can see why I am having such a tough time. The image or diamond 2 is actually different. Let''s see if this larger sized attachment helps to show the differences.

 

[vespergirl]

I prefer diamond 2.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 8/26/2009 2:56:02 PM
Author: vespergirl
I prefer diamond 2.

Hee! I prefer #1. Just goes to show ... they''re tricky suckers & everyone''s eye likes something different!

Do you have videos? A video comparison? Sometimes those help ... but not more than seeing them in person, which you''ve already done. ** sigh **

 

[ericad]

I'm a contrast girl, myself, so I love #1 too

(and I think you should try your best to get the diamond you think she will prefer, and the idea of proposing with a loose stone is great! This way she has the opportunity to change stones if it's not quite right)

 

[strmrdr]

They are both the same style #1 has much bolder contrast.
I like them both.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 8/26/2009 5:01:12 PM
Author: ericad
I''m a contrast girl, myself, so I love #1 too

(and I think you should try your best to get the diamond you think she will prefer, and the idea of proposing with a loose stone is great! This way she has the opportunity to change stones if it''s not quite right)

Please pardon a slight hijack ... ERICAD ... when will your Asscher ring be done? The stone looks magnificent!

 

[Laila619]

Date: 8/25/2009 11:14:20 PM
Author:JulietRomeoTango
So, the question is: Do you go with your gut (preference) or do you go with the stone you think your fiance will like more (despite her lack of education via pricescope)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi--

I would definitely go with the Asscher that is cut a bit better, the one that you like. She will never even know there were two choices. When she sees it, I am sure she will be thrilled. You have the advantage of Pricescope and all the knowledge that comes along with it. So go with your gut, and pick the one you think is better.

I like diamond 2 better.

 

[ericad]

Date: 8/26/2009 6:28:52 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 8/26/2009 5:01:12 PM

Author: ericad

I''m a contrast girl, myself, so I love #1 too

(and I think you should try your best to get the diamond you think she will prefer, and the idea of proposing with a loose stone is great! This way she has the opportunity to change stones if it''s not quite right)

Please pardon a slight hijack ... ERICAD ... when will your Asscher ring be done? The stone looks magnificent!

It''s done, deco! I just got it yesterday! I only have some mediocre iphone pics, but will try a proper photoshoot tonight (I''ll load one pic up on the L thread for you)

 

[AustenNut]

I''m not an expert, but I prefer #1. Too bad though we can''t combine the fire of #2 with the geometric nature of #1. Ahh, life!

 

[Arcadian]

I''m more of a colored stone kind of girl that wanders over in the diamond section every now and again, and I have to say I like number 2. It looks very romantic, its soft, and cozy. Thats a stone I''d probably stare at all day.

I think that at the end of the day you''ve got to go with your gut and what you know about her likes and dislikes.


-A

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

OK!! I really appreciate everone''s advice and help.

A few questions remain:

Karl, I am a bit embarrassed to ask, but I''ll do so anyway: I take it that they are both "bright-drop" style in your terminology (or are they both narrow-steps?) with one just having a higher contrast than the other?

Decodelighted and EricaD: thanks for the advice and EricaD - wow! that is a nice asscher.

Laila69 - It''s true that she probably will not know, but given how often she looks at asschers I would not be surprised if she is shadowing the pricescope forums herself (horrifying paranoia on my part).

Anyhow . . . . I think I have come up with a solution!!!

I am having Jon at GOG do a video of the two stones and having her mother help me choose (they have very similar tastes). And in the end, I think I am going to propose with just the stone (thanks EricaD for encouraging this) even if it is slightly more practical and less romantic.

JEESH!

I am not usually this indecisive about things. Thanks for everyone''s help, opinions and advice!

 

[Asschergirlnyc]

Date: 8/26/2009 8:11:11 AM
Author: JulietRomeoTango
asschergirlnyc,


I am sorry you are not happy with your ring (it looks very nice to me from the photo you posted); I would be very disappointed if MFW did not like the ring. And, though I am not 100% sure that she prefers the geometric high contrast style of Asschers to the ones with slightly smaller tables and higher crowns (effectively producing more fire and scintillation) I have seen her comment on various asschers when we have been out and about and she has always been drawn towards the geometric ones. I think I am lucky that we have never seen Royal Asschers or genuine antique Asschers in person to tempt us - since they are way out of our means!


I am tempted as you suggest to just discuss things with her beforehand, but I want to preserve some element of surprise to the whole process. The vendor I am using has an excellent return policy and lifetime guarantee so I am thinking about just presenting her with a diamond instead of a ring. Does that seem like a good compromise between surprise (romance) and practicality?

Thank you, but I do prefer the looks where you can see a lot more lines. Maybe not show her the exact stones, but examples of both styles? I totally wish my fiance had done that. My fiance and I wanted to do the same think in terms of surprise and romance. No matter how open you are as a couple, tt might be difficult for her to comment on it once she receives it, as in my case. She will want to have the one you presented her with, not oh well we can change it. If you are unsure, definitely get input beforehand. I wish I was presented with that since the asscher styles vary.

 

[Rhino]

Hey Juliet,

It's pretty funny how torn the opinions are eh? Just like in the store. In any case I'm happy to oblige and will be doing some new shoots tomorrow so I see I have some more work cut out for me. I'm sure you'll get more torn opinions but the clip showing the 2 side by side may actually cause the audience to swerve towards one more than the other. I don't know but we'll see. Getting her mom's input ... I think will help or further drive you crazy.

In either case it's a pleasure to serve.

Kind regards,

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Rhino,

I really appreciate your patience and all of the work you, Sarah and the rest of your family have put into making what must be a modest sale for you a great experience for your customer (i.e., me). Your reputation here is well deserved.

Though it is a tough choice (and it is funny to see opinions as split here as in the store) I am happy that either option leaves me with a great diamond. Bringing the future mother-in-law in on the choice just buys me a bit more insurance . . . so to speak.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Laila619]

Good solution. Will future MIL be able to keep it a secret though?

 

[litebrite]

I think your decision to propose with just the stone is excellent, then you can go shopping for the setting together.